Screenability Filmmakers Fund

The Screenability Filmmakers Fund is part of a suite of initiatives under Screenability NSW, an open-ended policy commitment by Create NSW to work with industry to create opportunities for Australian filmmakers with disability in the screen sector.

The Fund is open to short film proposals of a 15-minute maximum duration to teams who must have at least one key creative (writer, director, producer) identifying as having a disability.

Applications for Screenability are open from Wednesday 26th September and close at 11.59pm on Sunday 28th October 2018.

Create NSW will fund up to three teams to realise their ambition of producing a short film to be considered for premiere at the 66thSydney Film Festival in 2019.

On approval, the successful teams will receive $30,000 each in production funding.

An Executive Producer will be appointed by Create NSW who will brief and liaise with the successful teams.

Producers will need to raise any additional finance to produce their films. We encourage applicants to approach industry facilities and negotiate deals, as well as crowd funding, distribution and other sources of funds to finance their project.

At least one of the three key creatives (writer, director, producer) of the project must identify as having a disability. The person who identifies as having a disability does not need to be NSW permanent resident. By disability, we refer to the Social Model of Disability, using the term ‘disability’ to refer to barriers, rather than medical conditions or impairments. These barriers are seen as being the disabling factors, which prevent or limit opportunities.

At least one of the key creatives must be a permanent resident of NSW.

At least one of the key creatives of the project must identify as having a disability. This person does not need to be a NSW permanent resident.

A team must comprise of at least two members, and all teams must include a producer.

One person cannot be both the producer and director on the project. However, writer/director or writer/producer are eligible.

The key creative team may include only one person who has substantial previous professional (i.e. paid) film or television experience as a writer, director or producer.

A different set of key creatives may apply on non-linear projects, digital media or animation.

Previous Emerging Filmmakers Fund (EFF) and Generator: Emerging Filmmakers Fund (GEFF) recipients are not eligible to apply to Screenability, however any key creative who has previously been a recipient of EFF or GEFF is eligible to apply in a different role (eg a producer can be a writer etc.)

Create NSW is committed to supporting increased participation in the industry of people from under- represented groups including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from CaLD backgrounds, people with disability, LGBTIQ people, people from western Sydney and people from regional NSW. Priority will be given to teams including people from under-represented groups.

Your application will be competitively assessed against the following criteria:

Your eligibility;

The originality and distinctiveness of the idea and/or story;

The quality of the script, the director’s vision, and other creative materials;

Creative potential of the team, their unity of vision, and their balance of experience, along with a potential for skills development;

The appropriateness of the budget and schedule, and the team’s ability to realize the project within it;

Evidence that the project/story is fully developed and ready for production;

The cultural and economic benefit the project will provide to NSW, including career development;

Description of disability or should you choose not to disclose: support or access needs.

The Screenability executive and a member of the Create NSW Sector Investment team and the external Executive Producer will read all applications and compile a shortlist.

Shortlisted teams will be interviewed by the Screenability Executive Producer and an additional executive of the Create NSW sector investment team who will make a recommendation on the final selections and the recommendation will be considered by Director Sector Investment.

Successful teams will have a briefing with the Screenability Executive Producer.

At that point we will discuss Create NSW requirements, provide feedback, and go over any questions you may have. You will need to finalise and execute the Create NSW grant agreement within 4 weeks from the date of the briefing, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

If this does not occur, the decision to financially support the project may lapse. Obligations to Create NSW will include the following:

Create NSW will contract only with the Applicant

Projects must be completed in accordance with the terms of the Create NSW agreements. The Applicant will need to enter into a service agreement with each member of the key creative team and enter into any other agreements required in order for the applicant to own or control of the rights in the project.

Create NSW will need to approve these agreements noted above prior to issuing its grant agreement to the Applicant.

Grant funds cannot be drawn down until a grant agreement with Create NSW has been executed and specific conditions met.